Modified blackjack game

ABSTRACT

A blackjack game for play by a player includes a target total, such as twenty-one. A player hand and a dealer hand are distributed. A first wager is placed by the player, with the first wager being resolved based on traditional rules of blackjack. A second wager is also placed by the player, with the second wager being remitted to the house or game operator when the first wager is remitted. The game includes a triggering event, with occurrence or non-occurrence of the triggering event affecting the resolution of the second wager. A payout is awarded based on the second wager when the second wager is not remitted and the triggering event occurs. The second wager is returned to the player when the second wager is not remitted and when the triggering event does not occur. The triggering event may be a dealer bust.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to games of chance, and more specifically to a blackjack game utilizing two wagers, with resolution of the second wager at least partially dependent upon the occurrence of a triggering event.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Blackjack games are well known in the art. In blackjack, a player forms a player hand including at least two cards. The values of the cards are summed to determine a player total. Similarly, a dealer forms a dealer hand, with a dealer total being determined by summing the values of the cards in the dealer hand. A predetermined target total is used to evaluate the hands, with the target total being twenty-one in most traditional blackjack games. The object of the game is to achieve a player total closer to the target total than the dealer total without exceeding the target total. Blackjack games are exceedingly popular in casinos. Given this popularity, a modified blackjack game which increases player excitement and enjoyment would likely increase revenue for casinos and other game operators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a blackjack game for play by a player using a plurality of cards, with each of the cards having a card value associated therewith. The game includes a target total, such as twenty-one. A player hand is distributed to the player, with a dealer hand being distributed to a dealer or a house. A first wager is placed by the player, with the first wager being resolved based on traditional rules of blackjack. Thus, the first wager is remitted to the house when the player hand is a losing hand, i.e., exceeds the target total, or when the dealer hand is greater than the player hand without exceeding the target total. A second wager is also placed by the player, with the second wager being remitted to the house or game operator when the first wager is remitted. The game includes a triggering event, with occurrence or non-occurrence of the triggering event affecting the resolution of the second wager. A payout is awarded based on the second wager when the second wager is not remitted (i.e., when the player hand is a winning hand) and when the triggering event occurs. The payout may increase as the difference between the player total and the target total decreases, with the player receiving the largest payout, and perhaps a bonus award, when the player total equals the target total. The second wager is returned to the player when the second wager is not remitted and when the triggering event does not occur.

In one aspect of the present invention, the game includes a dealer total determined by summing the card values of the cards in the dealer hand, with the triggering event occurring when the dealer total exceeds the target total. That is, the triggering event is the dealer busting. In another aspect of the present invention, the triggering event occurs when the dealer hand includes a card having a predetermined card value. In still another aspect of the present invention, the triggering event occurs when the player hand includes a card having a predetermined card value.

The present invention also provides a method of playing a blackjack game. First, a player wagers first and second wagers. Next, a player hand and a dealer hand are distributed. The first wager is resolved based on traditional rules of blackjack, with the first wager being remitted for a losing player hand. The second wager is remitted when the first wager is remitted. A payout is awarded to the player based on the second wager when the second wager is not remitted and when a triggering event occurs. The second wager is returned to the player when the second wager is not remitted and when the triggering event does not occur.

In one aspect of the method according to the present invention, the game includes a target total and a dealer total, with the dealer total being determined by summing the card values of the cards in the dealer hand. In this aspect, the triggering event occurs when the dealer total exceeds the target total. In another aspect of the method, the triggering event occurs when the dealer hand includes a card having a predetermined card value. In still another aspect of the method, the triggering event occurs when the player hand includes a card having a predetermined card value. The game may include a target total and a player total, with the player total being determined by summing the card values of the cards in the player hand. In this aspect, the payout increases as the difference between the player total and the target total decreases. The method may also include awarding a bonus award with the payout when the player total equals the target total.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention. The present invention provides a modified blackjack game utilizing two wagers. The wagers are placed prior to distribution of a player hand and a dealer hand. The game is played using standard blackjack rules, which are well known in the art, with resolution of the first wager occurring in the conventional fashion. That is, the player receives a payout based on the first wager for a winning hand, with the first wager being remitted to a house or other game operator for a losing hand. The first wager is returned to the player for a push.

A determination of whether a hand is winning or losing is based on a player total, a dealer total, and a target total. The player total is determined by summing the card values of the cards in the player hand. Similarly, the dealer total is determined by summing the card values of the cards in the dealer hand. In the preferred embodiment, as with most traditional blackjack games, the target total is twenty-one. A player hand is a winning hand when the player total is greater than the dealer total without exceeding the target total, or when the player total is less than the target total and the dealer total is greater than the target total (i.e., the dealer “busts”). A player hand is a losing hand when the player total exceeds the target total (i.e., the player “busts”), or when neither the player total nor the dealer total exceed the target total, but the dealer total is greater than the player total. A “push” results when neither the player total nor the dealer total exceed the target total and the player total is equal to the dealer total.

The novelty of the game according to the present invention lies in the second wager. In the preferred embodiment, the second wager is compulsory. However, the second wager may be optional without changing the inventive concept. The second wager is resolved based on the resolution of the first wager and on a triggering event, which will be explained in further detail below. When the first wager is remitted, the second wager is also remitted. That is, when the player hand is deemed to be a losing hand, the player loses the second wager to the house or other game operator. If the second wager is not remitted, as when the player hand is a winning hand or when a push results, resolution of the second wager is dependent upon the triggering event. If the triggering event occurs, a payout is awarded based on the second wager. If the triggering event does not occur, the second wager is returned to the player.

In the preferred embodiment, the triggering event is a dealer bust. Thus, if the player total does not exceed the target total but the dealer total does exceed the target total, the player will be awarded a payout based on the second wager. However, the triggering event may be some other event without changing the inventive concept. For example, the triggering event may be the occurrence of a card having a predetermined value in either the player hand or the dealer hand. One example of this type of triggering event, then, would be the a dealer hand including an Ace. Thus if the player hand was not a losing hand, and the dealer hand included an Ace, a payout would be awarded based on the second wager since the second wager was not remitted and the triggering event occurred. Similarly, if the triggering event is a player hand including a Queen, the player would be awarded a payout based on the second wager for a non-losing hand including a Queen.

In the preferred embodiment, wherein the triggering event is a dealer bust, the payout preferably increases as the difference between the player total and the target total decreases. Stated another way, the payout would increase the closer a player was to twenty-one, as the difference between twelve and twenty-one is nine, while the difference between seventeen and twenty-one is only four. The preferred embodiment may also include a bonus award to be awarded with the payout if the player total equals the target total, with the bonus award being substantially increased for a blackjack.

The present invention further provides a method for playing a blackjack game. First, a player wagers first and second wagers. Next, a player hand and a dealer hand are distributed. The first wager is then resolved based on the traditional rules of blackjack. Resolution of the second wager is achieved in one of three ways. The second wager is remitted when the first wager is remitted. That is, if a player loses the underlying blackjack game, and thus the first wager, they also lose the second wager. A payout is awarded to the player based on the second wager when the second wager is not remitted and when a triggering event occurs. The second wager is returned to the player when the second wager is not remitted and the triggering event does not occur. In the preferred embodiment of the method, the game includes a target total and a dealer total, with the dealer total being calculated by summing the card values of the cards in the dealer hand. The triggering event occurs when the dealer total exceeds the target total, i.e., when the dealer busts. Also in the preferred embodiment, the game includes a player total calculated by summing the card values of the cards in the player hand. The payout increases the closer the player total is to the target total.

While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, it is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words and description rather than of limitation. Those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize that many modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced in a substantially equivalent way other than as specifically described herein. 

1. A blackjack game for play by a player using a plurality of cards, with each of said plurality of cards having a card value associated therewith, said game comprising: a target total; a player hand distributed to said player; a dealer hand distributed to a dealer; a triggering event; a first wager placed by said player, said first wager being resolved based on traditional rules of blackjack; a second wager placed by said player, said second wager being remitted when said first wager is remitted; and a payout awarded based on said second wager when said second wager is not remitted and said triggering event occurs; wherein said second wager is returned to said player when said second wager is not remitted and said triggering event does not occur.
 2. The game of claim 1, further including: a dealer total, said dealer total being determined by summing the card values of the cards in said dealer hand; wherein said triggering event occurs when said dealer total exceeds said target total.
 3. The game of claim 2, wherein said target total is twenty-one.
 4. The game of claim 1, further including: a player total, said player total being determined by summing the card values of the cards in said player hand; wherein said payout increases as the difference between said player total and said target total decreases.
 5. The game of claim 4, further including a bonus award awarded with said payout when said player total equals said target total.
 6. The game of claim 1, wherein said triggering event occurs when said dealer hand includes a card having a predetermined card value.
 7. The game of claim 1, wherein said triggering event occurs when said player hand includes a card having a predetermined card value.
 8. A method of playing a blackjack game using a plurality of cards, said game including a triggering event, said method comprising: wagering of a first wager by a player; wagering of a second wager by said player; distributing a player hand and a dealer hand; resolving said first wager based on traditional rules of blackjack; remitting said second wager when said first wager is remitted; awarding a payout to said player based on said second wager when said second wager is not remitted and when said triggering event occurs; and returning said second wager to said player when said second wager is not remitted and when said triggering event does not occur.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said game further includes a target total and a dealer total, said dealer total being determined by summing the card values of the cards in said dealer hand, wherein said triggering event occurs when said dealer total exceeds said target total.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said target total is twenty-one.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein said game further includes a target total and a player total, said player total being determined by summing the card values of the cards in said player hand, wherein said payout increases as the difference between said player total and said target total decreases.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said target total is twenty-one.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein said game further includes a bonus award awarded with said payout when said player total equals said target total.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein said triggering event occurs when said dealer hand includes a card having a predetermined card value.
 15. The method of claim 8, wherein said triggering event occurs when said player hand includes a card having a predetermined card value.
 16. A blackjack game for play by a player using a plurality of cards, with each of said plurality of cards having a card value associated therewith, said game comprising: a player hand distributed to said player; a player total determined by summing the card values of the cards in said player hand; a dealer hand distributed to a dealer; a dealer total determined by summing the card values of the cards in said dealer hand; a target total; a first wager placed by said player, said first wager being resolved based on traditional rules of blackjack; and a second wager placed by said player, said second wager being resolved as follows: remitting said second wager when said player total exceeds said target total; remitting said second wager when neither said player total nor said dealer total exceed said target total and said dealer total is greater than said player total; returning said second wager to said player when said player total is greater than or equal to said dealer total without exceeding said target total; and awarding a payout based on said second wager when said dealer total exceeds said target total and said player total does not exceed said target total.
 17. The game of claim 16, wherein said payout increases as the difference between said player total and said target total decreases.
 18. The game of claim 16, further including a bonus award awarded based on said second wager when said dealer total exceeds said target total and said player total equals said target total. 